In the current 10.7 patch, we can easily see that the two compositions, Vanguard – Marksman and Cybernetic, are dominating the current meta. Alongside this dominance, high burst damage compositions like Shadow Shaco or Brawler – Void are also asserting their strength and proving to be able to compete with the top two compositions mentioned.
Therefore, in the upcoming 10.8 patch, Riot Games will nerf key champions or buff the “counter” champions of the aforementioned compositions. On the other hand, we will have up to 20 different elements from origins, champions, and items getting direct buffs. The champions on this list are not necessarily weak, but they belong to mid-tier compositions and lack the power to compete with the other meta team compositions.
As for the buff section, we will see 3 origins – classes: Galaxy, Sorcerer, and Pirate receiving special attention. Galaxy has many strong champions, but this combo mainly serves as support and there isn’t really a Galaxy + something else composition; perhaps Riot wants to change that. The Sorcerer buff is quite understandable since they are too weak and dependent on the Pilot, while the most feasible buff for Pirates might just be increasing the drop rate of gold.
Moving on to champions, we can count 4 champions from the Rebel origin and 4 champions from the Blademaster origin getting buffs in the next patch, likely because Riot wants to bring these two compositions back into competition within the meta game. Next, we have 3 units from the Celestial Guardian composition: Soraka, Syndra, and Zoe; this may synergize with the Sorcerer buff and bring back a composition using both of these origins-classes.
The 4 items that are getting buffed are all among the least used in the game, if not entirely unused. The Chalice of Favor and the Cloak of Serenity are difficult to use because they require players to have excellent observation skills and lineup arrangements, while the Frozen Heart does not fit the meta and the Rapid Firecannon is just unnecessary.
As for the nerf section, we see very few champions being named, but they are all monsters in the current meta. Lucian and the Cybernetic origin are likely to have their damage and health reduced so that they won’t dominate opponents too much in the late game, even if you only have one piece of equipment. Shaco continues to be targeted and is likely to lose his critical damage at 3-star level.
Next, we have perhaps the most paradoxical part of the patch: while they buff Sorcerers, they also hit Vel’Koz, the main damage dealer of Sorcerers currently, and the Tear of Goddess, the most important item for this composition. It’s unclear what Riot’s mixed approach to Sorcerers entails; are they trying to shift players from using Vel’Koz to Xerath, the new Sorcerer champion?
Speaking of Xerath, this is a completely new champion for Teamfight Tactics Season 3 with the Sorcerer origin and Shadow class. With his expensive 5-cost, this champion’s power is undoubtedly immense, and with current tests on the PBE server, Xerath is viewed as the “savior” for the Sorcerer composition in the late game with devastating area damage and a stun effect.
